We are pleased to
announce that PRAXES Medical Group, the Canadian based company which provides
worldwide, fast access to medical advice to patients in the world’s most remote
environments, will return as the Global Medical Emergency Support Partner in
the 2015-16 race edition. r

PRAXES
medical experts include emergency and occupational physicians who have years of experience of providing remote
medical access to patients injured or ill in the world’s most hostile
environments, where there are limited options for a medical evacuation and there
is no rapid access to x-rays or hi-tech hospital equipment.

Sir Robin
Knox-Johnston says: “Knowing the PRAXES physicians were available during
emergencies and other medical situations was extremely reassuring for our crew
on the last race so I am very pleased to be continuing the partnership. The
safety of our crew who are tackling Mother Nature’s toughest conditions is
paramount for us.”

As well as providing access to professional medical advice, PRAXES will also supply
the comprehensive Cat A on board medical kits, required by the Cat Zero coded
Clipper 70 ocean racing yachts.

During the last edition of the race, crew members
were given rapid diagnosis and valuable expert reassurances by PRAXES emergency
physicians, in addition to in-port consultations via private internet video
consultations.

Crew were given advice on everything ranging
from respiratory problems, infections, eye injuries, and rashes, to dislocations
and broken ribs. This included emergency advice following a dramatic Man
Overboard rescue in the North Pacific Ocean to assess a crew member presenting
with potential hypothermia, shock and a suspected broken leg.

PRAXES CEO Susan
Helliwell comments, “We are delighted to continue our partnership with the
race. Sir Robin, the skippers, staff and crews have all been enthusiastic about
our 24/7 service. We are very pleased to play a role in supporting crew health.

“The Clipper Race has provided a unique opportunity to
demonstrate our products and services in one of the most demanding marine based
events on the planet. It delivered a powerful global promotional platform
across six continents and over eleven months of high profile exposure.”

In the event
of an incident on board, a qualified doctor will be available on the satellite phone
within five minutes to give emergency specialist advice on the most appropriate
treatment and permission to prescribe any necessary drugs carried within the
medical kit on board, also provided by PRAXES.

The PRAXES
service extends to ‘virtual’ in-port consultations for less urgent conditions when
crew are thousands of miles away from their GP and do not necessarily need a
time-consuming hospital visit.

Ahead of the
2015-16 race start, crew members will be given the opportunity to upload their
medical histories which will be kept confidentially by PRAXES in case of an emergency.

There is still time to sign up to be a crew member for the 2015-16 edition of
the race. If you have a medical professional background, there are
opportunities to volunteer to become one of our team medics, and gain valuable
experience looking after your fellow crew members in a challenging environment. Click here to apply to the race, and find out more through the Clipper Race crew team.